Houston Rockets: Three things Kenneth Faried brings to the team
Thing #2: A significant defensive presence
The Houston Rockets have fallen mightily from being a Top 10 team in terms of defensive efficiency this season. It would certainly explain the reasoning behind the team’s awful start to their 2018-19 campaign but they’ve since righted the ship.
How have things changed? The team finished 6th in defensive efficiency last season, allowing a stingy 103.8 points per 100 possessions. This season, they’ve fallen to 22nd in that category, allowing 109.2 points per 100, a 5.4-point increase year-over-year. That certainly will make an impact on the win-loss column and it’s why these wins have been pure grind-outs, aside from the injuries the team is currently dealing with.
The Rockets have the ability to take a lead but just can’t seem to retain it. The days of the team blowing out their competition are sadly over and I’m afraid they’ll have to scrap for every one of their wins this season.
Trevor Ariza did cover a lot of the team’s weaknesses on defense and I can recall countless times where he had to cover his guy yet slide across to Harden’s assignment to cover up his teammates’ lapse of judgement.
light. Also. Carmelo Anthony could be traded by next week
There’s nobody on this roster that’s doing that this season but I won’t go as far to say the team collapsed without Ariza. I think it’s fair to say that they’ve taken a step back in terms of having a three-and-D guy always ready to strike.
When Faried signs to the roster next week, his 109 defensive rating per 100 will be tops among the members of this team as soon as the ink dries on his new contract. The closest Rockets with that defensive rating are: Capela (110) and Harden (110). Harden’s ability as a two-way player has always been there but he just had to be inspired to do it and the coaching of Jeff Bzdelik has helped tremendously.
Faried is also averaging 1.7 blocks per 100 so although I’d like that number higher, it goes to show that does have some ability to go out there and help clean up the boards when needed.
Are you not convinced yet? Let’s move to the third and final thing.